IIARD International Institute of Academic Research and Development

JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )

E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 10 NO. 5 2024
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.v10.no5.2024.pg89.119

---

Fiscal Federalism and Sustainable Development: A Study of Educational Development in Rivers State, 2015 – 2022

Umoren, Felicia Fabian, Dr. C. A. Akujuru, Dr. E. I. Amadi

---

Abstract

This study examined the interplay between fiscal federalism and sustainable development in Rivers State, Nigeria, with a specific focus on infrastructural, educational development, technological development, and healthcare delivery. The theoretical framework of the study drew on fiscal federalism theory and systems theory, highlighting the importance of resource allocation and interconnectedness in achieving sustainable development goals. A descriptive survey research design was employed, and primary data were collected through structured questionnaires from a purposive sample of 400 respondents. Pearson Product Correlation Coefficient analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The findings indicate a significant and positive relationship between fiscal federalism and sustainable development in Nigeria. Specifically, the level of financial responsibility and autonomy accorded to state and local governments significantly influenced infrastructural and educational development. The study concludes that fiscal Federalism structures and transparent governance mechanisms are crucial for promoting sustainable development. It recommends enhancing fiscal transparency, integrating sustainable development goals into fiscal policies, allocating a significant portion of resources to critical infrastructure development, and decentralizing fiscal responsibilities to sub-national governments. Strengthening fiscal institutions and promoting accountability in resource allocation are also important factors. These findings contribute to the understanding of the role of fiscal federalism in sustainable development and provide insights for policymakers and stakeholders in Rivers State and other similar contexts.

---

References:

Adamolekun, L. (1983). Administrative Mechanisms for Managing IGR in Public Administration:
A Nigerian and Comparative Perspective. Adamolekun, L. ed. Lagos: Longman Ltd.

Agyemang-Duah, W., Gbedoho, E., Peprah, P. A., Arthur, F. S., Kweku, A., Okyere, J. & Mengba,
D. J. (2018). Reducing poverty through fiscal decentralization in Ghana and beyond.
Cogent Economics and Finance, 1(1), 1 – 14.

Babalola, D. (2015). Fiscal federalism and economic development in Nigeria: The contending
issues. Global Journal of Political Science and Administration, 3(2), 53–69.

Barbier, E. B. & Burgess, J. C. (2020). Sustainability and development after COVID-19. World
Development View 135, 105082.

Dubinskii, V.P. & Jafari, H. S. (2017). Sustainable Development- The Definition of the Concept
and the Perspectives of Development: International Journal of Applied Engineering
Research, 9 (4) 12767-12771.

Dziobek, C., Gutierrez, M.C.A. & Kufa, P. (2017). Measuring Fiscal Decentralization-Exploring
the IMF’s Databases. IMF Working Paper, International Monetary Fund, Washington DC
USA.

Ecoma, E. S. & Ecoma, C. S. (2011). Fiscal federalism and good governance in Nigeria since
independence. American Research Journals, 4(1), 2378-7031.

Edet, J. T. & Harrison, O. A. (2021). Revenue Allocation in Nigeria: Issues, Challenges and
Prospects: Journal of Public Administration and Governance ISSN 2161-7104.

Ejeh, A. W & Orokpo, O. F.E. (2014). Fiscal Federalism in Nigeria: An Analysis of Issues and
Challenges. International Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies, 12 (7) 2354-1598.

Ekanade, O. V. (2011). Fiscal federalism and Nigeria’s development: Comparative perspectives
from Canadian fiscal federalism. Journal of Global Initiatives: Policy, Pedagogy,
Perspective, 6(1), 21–44.

Ewetan, O. O. (2012). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Theory and practice. International Journal of
Development and Sustainability, 1(3), 1075–1086.

Ewetan, O. O., Ike, D. N., & Ige, C. S. (2015). An examination of relevant issues in Nigeria’s
fiscal federalism. International Journal of Research in Social Sciences, 2(3), 1–10.

Ewetan, O. O., Osabohien, R., Matthew, O. O., Babajide, A. A. & Urhie, E. (2020). Fiscal
federalism and accountability in Nigeria: An ARDL approach. International Journal of
Research in Social Sciences, 4(5), 23–36.

Ewetan, O. O., Ike, D. N & Ige, C. S. (2015). An examination of relevant issues in Nigeria’s fiscal
federalism. Journal of Research in Humanities and Social Studies, 2(3), 2394-6296.

Jin, H. Martinez-Vasquez, J. (2021). Sustainable development and the optimal level of Fiscal
expenditure decentralization; International Center for Public Policy Working Paper 21-03;
International Centre for Public Policy, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia
State University: Atlanta, GA, USA.

Kayode O., Beatrice D. S. & Josine U. (2022). Sustainable Development-Fiscal Federalism Nexus:
A “Beyond GDP” Approach. Journal of Sustainability, 5(14), 43-57.

Megbowon E., Aderoju S. & Gbenga P. S. (2022). Effect of fiscal federalism for poverty reduction
in Nigeria: an analysis of federal and state governments’ expenditures. Journal of Business
Economics, 5(3), 31-46

Musgrave, R. (1959). The Theory of Public Finance. New York: McGraw-Hill.

Ogbonnaya-Udo N. & Chukwu K. O. (2020). Effect of government expenditure on economic
development: a study of selected West African countries. Asian Journal of Advanced
Research, 14(1):24–36.

Olabanji O., Ewetan O. O., Oluwatoyin A., Matthew., Abiola A., B., Romanus O. & Ese U. (2020).
The impact of fiscal federalism on economic development in Nigeria. Journal of Politics
and International Relations, 6 (1) 1-13.

Robinson, M. O. & Udeorah, S. A. F. (2018). Fiscal federalism in Nigeria: Implication to the
economy of states. International of Research and Innovation in Social Sciences, 11(11),
245-618.

Sherif, J. (2018). What is Revenue Allocation in Nigeria? NaijaQuest.com https://naijaquestion
Retrieved Sept. 3.

Tamuno, T. N. (2014). Nigerian Federalism in Historical Perspective. In Amuwo, K. et al. (eds.)
(2004) Federalism and Political Restructuring in Nigeria. Ibadan: Spectrum Books
Limited.

Ukachikara, U. O. (2019). Democracy, Fiscal Federalism and Challenge of Development in
Nigeria: International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 7 (20) 2454-
Ukachikara, U. O. (2019). Democracy, Fiscal Federalism and Challenge of Development in
Nigeria: International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 9 (5), 27-50.

Wang, M. Zhao, X. Gong, Q. & Ji, Z. (2019). Measurement of regional green economy sustainable
development ability based on entropy weight-tops is-coupling coordination degree: A case
study in Shandong Province, China. Journal of Sustainability, 11, 280.

Wheare, K.C. (1963). Federal Government (4th edition.). Oxford: University Press

Zhang, W. L., Song, L. Y. & Ilyas, M. (2023). Can the digital economy promote fiscal effort?
Empirical evidence from Chinese cities. Econ Change Restruct 56, 3501–3525.

DOWNLOAD PDF

---

Back